Board Meeting: April 21, 2026

Heart of Lincoln Square Neighbors Association

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Meeting Minutes — April 21, 2026

HOLS Board Meeting

Date: Wednesday, April 21, 2026

Starting at: 6:30pm

Adjourned: 8pm

Location: Sojourn Cocktail Lounge

Who’s at the table?

  • Ashley Woodthorp

  • Joven Ebio

  • Joanne Oyer

  • Loren Johnson

  • Krysta Johnson

  • Adam Kingsley

  • Namita Shah

  • Hannah Loew

Can’t make it:

  • Rony Islam

Introductions

  • Namita Shah

    • Interested in joining the board/Beautification Committee/garden management. Current partner for Community Yard Sale. 

  • Hannah Loew

    • Interested in joining the board/Events Committee, social media, website management. Background in urban design and planning.

AGENDA:

1. Old Business

  • Motion to approve March 18, 2026 meeting minutes

Motion by: Loren

Seconded by: Joven

Status: approved

  • Member Survey

    • 4/21: 30 responses, will continue to collect more

    • Newsletter - continue to include the link 

  • Cargo Bike Library Pilot

    • Rony working on strategy / contacts / funding
      Waiting for Zack to open bike shop (Bugbear bikes)

    • Loren discussed with 47th Ward office - they think Berenice Plaza would be a good location. Also under CTA tracks?

2. Planning and Development Committee - Adam 

  • Upzoning & Underutilized Properties Letter; we are asking Alderman’s office about underutilized spaces

  • Construction Underway - 47th ward is planning an opening celebration

  • Consider inviting group who does rental assistance to board meeting 

3.  Treasurer's Report - Krysta

  • April 2026 Starting Balance - $15,931

  • Gross Income YTD: $2,617

  • Community Garden Income YTD: $1,277.55

  • General Fund: $7,506.89

  • Gardener’s Fund: $5,006.58

  • Save-Your-Ash Fund: 2,477.24 

  • IRS Reinstatement: Ongoing project

4. Outreach Committee Report - Joven 

  • Newsletters & Social Media - need help as we want to do more but run out of time

    • Highlighting local businesses and nonprofit organizations

    • Voter registration and election awareness at events

  • Reminder: Please send content/photos to Joven for newsletter in advance of deadline

  • Consider a HOLS business card to hand out

  • Hoping door hangers (yard sale) will create members

5. Beautification Committee - Ashley

  • Gardeners: continued interest, long waitlist

  • Save Your Ash campaign restored to website

    • What is the next effort? Need volunteers?

    • Locate the next Gardening Supervisor

  • Consider mural restoration fundraising with Dank Haus

  • 6. Events Committee - Open

  • Upcoming Events and Ideas

    • 2026 Events 

      • Eco Fest May 30

        • Educate and sign up new members for HOLS

  • June 7th Yard Sale 

    • Flyers and door hangers have been posted

    • Need a map

  • July 4th Winnemac Fourth for All

    • Facepainting, QR code, Thermometer graphic

  • Square Roots & Applefest - volunteering

  • Halloween Street festival - need dedicated planning effort

    • Need volunteers

    • Have partnered with the Davis Theater

    • Storytelling theme

    • Storefront competition?

    • Create master calendar - Loren

  • Partner with existing groups for Halloween movie and pumpkin composting in October/November

7. New business:

  • Meet Me on Milwaukee - we want to bring a similar event to Lincoln Square. Start small and build on success.

  • Interviewing prospective board members / associate directors

  • Christmas in the Wards 2026 - fundraising roll-out / planning

8. Action Items before Next Board Meeting - December

  • Xxx

9. Vote on new board members

  • Namita Shah - Beautification Director

    • Unanimously approved

  • Hannah Loew - Events Director

    • Unanimously approved

Motion to adjourn by: Joven

Seconded by: Krysta